Special Educational Needs
Dail Éireann — 2025-12-11
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Ruairí Ó Murchú (SF), Louth

The previous Minister, Deputy Foley, put out the following statement: "The Department of Education and Youth will shortly agree a new process to remove the requirement for professional reports such as assessment of need reports from entry requirements for special schools and special classes." We have all been inundated with queries from people who are very worried about this. We have no clarity and no information as to who is going to be assessed. I have no issue with streamlining processes but people need to know there is a process and who will make the assessment. We must ensure children who need added supports get those supports and an appropriate place, whether in a special class, special school or with supports in a mainstream class. The Minister of State really needs to provide clarity. Educators and parents are very worried at the moment.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2025-12-11/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-27T06:54:48+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-12-11